Flange oiler



June4,194o. o, w, SWANSQN 12,203,112

FLANGE, ILER Filed Dec. 23, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES FLANGE o'rLER Olof W. Swanson, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 23, 1938, Serial No. 247,327

6 Claims.

This invention relates to flange oilers for lubricating wheel flanges more particularly of railroad locomotives.

' Among other objects, the invention provides an 5 improved oiler of this class which insures more positive and uniform oiling ofk the flange and flange only of the wheel, at reduced cost of manufacture and operation.

Specifically, this invention is an improvement l0. upon my Patent No. 1,942,847 of January 9, 1934,

and is adapted especially for locomotives which are engaged in long run and high speed service.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic View, showing my improved flange oiler applied to the locomotive wheel;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partly 20y in axial section, of the oil reservoir;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken 'on the line 3--3 of Fig. l with the feed pipe removed;

Figure 4 is a section of the structure of Fig. 3 taken on the staggered line 4--4;

Figure 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and v Figure 6 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. l5, but on a smaller scale without being in section, and showing alternative positions of the parts. 30 Referring in detail to the illustrative construction shown in the drawings, I indicates a conventional locomotive driving wheel having` the tire II provided with the usual tread 'I2 and flange I3.

lIt is desirable to prevent unnecessary noise and wear, and sometimes climbing of the ange on the rail, to have an adequate but not too large amount of lubrication provided on the flange of the wheel along the area ofthe flange between 40- the top 14a of the flange land the throat I4b Where the tread and ange meet (Fig. 6). Too much oil must not be deposited since it might reach the tread of the wheel, which would be objectionable as tending to reduce the traction or drawing power of the locomotive. -Such lubrication as is provided should be uniform and positive in bothl quantity and exactly proper location of application.

To effect improved lubricating means functioning in accordance with these requirements, I have provided the device indicated in general by the numeral I and comprising, in accordance with my present invention, the -distributor shoe I6 which contacts the flange I3 of the ywheel I0.

55 The distributor shoe I6, in this'instan'ce, is a form, and a mounting portion I8 in the form of/ an integral leg. vThe distal end I9 of the flange embracing portion of the shoe, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is recessed by a groove 20 conforming complementarily to the flange I3 of the wheel and receiving the flange when the shoe is held radially against the flange, as here shown and as later described, thus embracing the flange but permitting the ange to run freely therethrough as the Wheel revolves in the progress of the locomotive along the track.

The side l2| of the shoe which faces the tread I2 of the wheel is desirably somewhat longer than the rear side 22, and the distal end 23 of this side is desirably curved conveXly, as shown, to somewhat conform to the throat I4b of the wheel or point where the flange meets the tread. Also, this curved end avoids a sharp edge on the shoe as does also the rounded end 24 of the rear side of the shoe.

To cause the oil to reach the area of the flange between its top I 4a and throat |419, this being the area along which the distal portion 23 of the face 2| lies, the block I'I has a passageway therethrough communicating with the distal end of the shoe and particularly with the distal vportion 23 at the tread-facing side of the flange. This passageway, in this instance, comprises a restricted bore 25 communicating at its upper end with an inlet 2B opening through the tubular portion 21 of the shoe, and at the lower end with the slot 28 in the face 2|, both the inlet 26 and slot 28 being thus continuations of the bore 25. Thus, the slot 28 opens transversely into the groove 20.

So constructed and arranged7 the oil carried in the oil reservoir 29 passes down by gravity through the feed pipe 3D and into the bore of the shoe, the discharge end of the pipe 38 communicating by means of the nipple 3l with the inlet 26, the

. nipple 3l being threadedly received in the tubular portion 21 of the shoe. The oil passing through the restricted bore 25 is distributed, by gravity and capillary attraction as well as by vibration of the shoe, along the walls of the slot 28, 'and then over a substantial circumferential segment of the area of the flange referred to, by means of the distal end of the shoe. The slot 28 desirably spaces the restricted bore 25 from the ultimate distal end of the shoe, and furthermore this slot being open laterally at one side of the shoe, no dirt or other obstruction accumulated on the flange or distal end of the shoe can reach the restricted bore 25, and furthermore any' such -dirt or obstruction (II)y would fall out through the open slot and not accumulate therein to cause stoppage, this function being assisted by normal Vibration of the shoe in operation, which is very important to its success.

The slot 28 is desirably undercut as at 28a upon its lower side to facilitate running of the oil therefrom to the throat of the ange.

Both to further restrict the bore 25 and at the same time to maintain a passageway therethrough, though restricted, for the oil, I have provided a vibrating member therein such as the rod 32 which is resiliently supported in the bore 25 as by being hung on the light helical spring 33 to depend loosely within the slot 28 and desirably to lightly contact the ange within the area referred to. Thus vibration of the shoe in response to movement of the wheel will ji'ggle the rod 32 and keep the bore 25 free froml dirt or other obstruction. Also, some portion of the oil may advantageously descend along the cylindrical surface of the rod 32 tov reach the ange in thisadditional manner.

Further in accordance with my invention, the shoe I6 is mounted for reciprocal and rocking limited movement so as to follow the movements of the wheel both radially and transversely, and also to accommodate itself to wear of the flange which changes the contour of the flange, and also to different diameters of the wheel tire. As is well known in the art, wheel tires, or the complete wheels, may be removed at intervals when wear of the flange becomes too pronounced7 to re-turn as on a lathe the tread and flange to produce a new tread and flange on the same tire by cutting away sufficient of the old tread and flange to restore the proper contour thereby.

For such mounting purposes, the leg I8 constitutes an integral mounting portion of theY shoe E6 andas here shown, extends upwardly from one side of the shoe, that is, a narrower side at` right angles to the faces 2| and 22. It is therefore offset laterally of the bore of the shoe and is aligned with the flange receiving groove 20. This flat leg I3 is slidingly received in the channel 34 of the rocker pad 35 and is retained therein by the keeper plate 36 which is bolted as at 31 onk the bosses 38 which form a part of the wall of the channel 34 of a height from the bottom of the channel approximately equal to the thickness of the leg I3. The rocker pad 35 is suitablyr fixedly attached to the locomotive frame 39 in the vicinity of the wheel ange, as in this in.- stance, by being carried by the bracket 40 which has one angular part 4I which may be Welded to the locomotive frame at 42 andv another angue lar portion 43 which extends out transversely over the wheel flange. The rocker pad 35 is then fastened to the bracket portion 43 of the bracket 43 as by bolts 44 and 45, sothat a plane passing through the leg I8 and groove 2IlY substantially centrally thereof also passes substantially centrally through the top of the flange I3 of the Wheel and parallel to the general plane of the wheel. The three point support afforded by the two bolts- 44 and 45, together with the fact that these bolts pass through two of three bosses 35a which space the rocker `pad from the bracket portion 43, facilitates centeringl of thev rocker pad .1 on the bracket in this position, and also causes the rocker pad to adapt itself to the plane' of the bracket when the pad is being bolted into place.

Thus, the distributor shoe, by reciprocal move-l v ment of the leg I8 in the channell 34, accommodates itself to the radial position of the flange. In practice, the bracket 43 will be located suinciently close to the top of a new flange so as to be well out of any possible contact therewith, but so that the leg I8 of the shoe will project at its upper end well above the rocker pad 35, and permitting the shoe to drop by gravity as the flange and distal end of the shoe are worn off by abrasion. A lug 46 at the top of the leg I8 which would engage the keeper plate 36 if the shoe were sufficiently lowered in the channel, prevents the shoe from being separated from the rocker pad accidentally@ as for example should the wheel be removed entirely. The block I'I of course b y possible engagement with the keeper plate 36, limits reciprocal movement of the shoe in the opposite radial direction.

For appropriate rocking purposes to permit the shoe to accommodate itself tov transverse movements of the wheel, as indicated in Fig. 6, the channel 34, further in accordance with my invention, is flared at both its upper and lower ends from a point intermedial of the length of the channel, such as'4I, where the channel is of a width substantially that of the leg IB. 'Ihus the points' 4'! where the sides of the channel are closest together act as fulcrums upon which the shoe rocks to accommodate itself to said transverse movement. The walls 48 of the channel, however, limit such movement whiler permitting a maximum extent thereof suici'ent to provide for any normal or even slightly abnormal transverse movement of the wheel. So constructed and arranged, `the shoe throughout the operation of the device continues to embrace the flange of the wheel, so that the oil is positively delivered to the proper location on the flange at all times. Furthermore, the oil is wiped onto the flange instead of being merely dropped thereon, which prevents wind and centrifugal force from blowing the oil away from the flange.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the bracket 40 is ad-k vantageously mounted so that the shoe I6 is directed radially of the Wheel I0 but along a radius 49 which is at an angle of approximately fortyve degrees to a radius 5U passing vertically through the top of the Wheel. Thus, the weight of the shoe I 6 is not entirely carried by the flange, but is distributed between the flange and the bracket 45, the angle which the shoe thus occupies to the horizontal'being just a little more than the angle of repose of the shoe on the bracket.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be understood that the reservoir 29 may be suitably secured, as by bolts (not shown) passing through its drilled arms 5I, to an appropriate location on the locomotive frame, and vibration of which causes the ball valve 52 to permit a limited and substantially predeterminedquantitly of voil to pass downwardly through the feed. pipe 30. VAs more particularly described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,942,847,this-predetermination of the-amount of oil is assisted by the novel device 53 which is loosely retained in the restricted passage 54 from the reservoir to the feed pipe, and ismovable by oscillation of the oil in the reservoir to maintain the passage open though restricted. The reservoir may be filled by removal of the closure cap 55 and may be drained by removal of the plug 555. Also, if desired, a steam chamber 5-1 may be provided for heating the oilv during cold weather, as by, having exhaust steam passed therethrough by connections 58 and 59.

The shoe will of course wear, but due toits 7s"- but narrower.

novel construction and operation it will advantageously wear at its distal end to a shape always conforming to the shape of the flange; that is, if for example, the wheel flange wears thinner, the groove 20 will Wear correspondingly deeper When the shoe becomes badly worn, it may readily be replaced by removing the keeper plate 36 and substituting a new shoe.

The invention is not limited to details of construction shown for purposes of illustration. Furthermore, it is not essential that all features of the invention be used conjointly, as various combinations. or sub-combinations may be advantageously employed. l

Such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the following claims without departing from the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A wheel flange oiler including a distributor shoe embodying a heavy metallic casting of somewhat block form, the distal end thereof having a recess shaped to conform generally to and for receiving the flange of the wheel and the proximal end thereof being adapted to have connected thereto an oil feed pipe, said shoe having a bore therethrough communicating with said ends, and the face of the block toward the tread of the wheel having a slot therein providing a pair of ngers at each side laterally of said bore, said slot providing a continuation of the bore.

2. A wheel flange oiler including a distributor shoe embodying a heavy metallic casting of somewhat block form, the distal end thereof having a recess shaped to conform generally to and for receiving the flange of the wheel and the proximal end thereof being adapted to have connected thereto an oil feed pipe, said .shoe having a bore communicating with said ends for discharging oil therethrough and a slot-like enlargement of said 4Q bore at said distal end on the vtread side of the flange, and wherein a light rod is resiliently suspended to pass somewhat loosely through said bore and depending within the slot-like enlargement to lightly Contact the flange short of the ultimate distal end of the shoe.

3. A wheel flange -oiler comprising an oil distributor shoe having a flange embracing portion, an open slot in the face of the shoe toward the tread side of the wheel, a restricted bore communicating with said slot, and a member loosely carried by the shoe within said restricted bore and adapted to vibrate under movement of the shoe to maintain said bore free for the passage of n oil, said member terminating short of the termination of the flange embracing portion but exposed in said slot.

4. In a wheel flange oiler, the combination with a distributor shoe having a groove therein receiving the flange, of mounting means for the shoe including a bracket having a channel flared at its lower end transversely of the flange, a mounting portion for said shoe slidingly received in said channel and substantially the width of said channel at its upper end whereby the shoe while so mounted may follow the flange both radially and transversely thereof, and a keeper plate retaining said mounting portion in said channel.

5. In a Wheel flange oiler, the combination with a distributor shoe having a groove therein receiving the flange, of mounting. means for the shoe including a member having a channel flared at its lower end transversely of the flange, a mounting portion for said shoe slidingly received in said channel and substantially the width of said channel at its upper end whereby the shoe may follow the. flange both radially and transversely, a bracket carrying said member on 'a three-point support, and means retaining said mounting portion in said channel.

6. In a wheel flange oiler, the combination with oil supply means, of a member mounted transverselg7 of the wheel flange on the upper side of the wheel on an angle approximately forty-five degrees to a vertical plane passing through the axis of the wheel, a channel in the upper side of said member having a narrow part and flared transversely of thev flange above and below said narrow part, a distributor shoe having a mount.- ing leg in said channel of substantially the width of the said narrow part and slidable therein both radially and transversely of said flange,A a distributor portion of said shoe integral with said mounting portion and offset thereof along the flange, said distributor portion having an oil passage therethrough connected with said oil supply meansand a` restricted bore therein, the shoe Ahaving a distal end adapted to contact the throat of the flange, a vibrating rod loosely mounted in said restricted bor-e and terminating short of the distal end of said distributor shoe portion, a flange receiving groove in said distal end extending beyond said vibrating rod, and an open` slot in the face of the shoe toward the wheel tread opening into said flange receiving groove and said restricted bore, said vibrating rod being partially exposed in said slot and said slot being undercut on its lower sideradially aligned with the throat ofthe flange.

j OLOF W. SWANSON. 

